Intermediate Conversation

Summer 2011 (June 7th-August 1st)

Class 1: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 7:10-8:40 am
Class 2: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 7:00-8:30 pm

Instructor: Suzanne M. Bardasz

Office: Room 1118
Office Phone Number: 350-8786
Office Hours: M, T, W, TH 1-2pm and by appointment
E-mail: suzanne.bardasz@gmail.com
Website: http://suzannesclassroom.com/moodle

Required Textbook:
Interchange 2A – Third Edition by Jack Richards (Cambridge Press)

Course Description and Objectives:

While primarily a conversation course, this course will also focus on the other three skills:
listening, reading, and writing. This course will also help the student improve speaking skills by
exploring various contemporary topics of interest in depth. We will use the exercises in the
textbook as well as various worksheets, audio and videotapes, listening dictation, and class
discussion. The course offers extensive conversation and speaking practice through the use of a
variety of learning techniques, including group and pair exercises. Throughout the class, we will
also work on several projects and tasks that will help you develop and organize your ideas,
which will increase your confidence and, in turn, will help with your speaking.

Course Requirements
1) Attend classes
 You must attend class regularly. Except emergencies or valid excuses, you must attend
70% of the classes to pass.
 You must come to class on time.
 If you know you will miss a class because of an emergency and/or illness, business
trip, or an unexpected change in plans, you must notify me by e-mail before class. It
is your responsibility to find out what you missed in class.

2) Be on time
 You are expected to show up to class on time. As I am in class and ready to teach on
time, I expect you to be in the classroom ready to learn on time.
 Unless you tell me before hand that you will be late for class, anybody who shows up
to class after 15 minutes will be considered absent.
 3 times you are late= 1 absence

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  If no one shows up to class in the first 20 minutes of class, class will be automatically
cancelled.

3) Be prepared
 You must attend class regularly and complete all assignments, including weekly
postings to the class website.
 Bring all the things you need for the class: textbook, pens, pencils, dictionary, notebook,
homework, questions, etc.
 Turn off your cell phones (including vibrator tone) before coming to class and cell
phones must not visibly be seen (no text messaging in class).
 If you must accept a cell phone call in class, please step outside of the classroom so
you will not disturb the class.

4) Participate
 You must actively participate in class and be cooperative and supportive of your
classmates, as well as be respectful to me.
 Everybody can participate and enjoy themselves during this course. If you do not
participate, then you cannot improve. The best way to learn English is to participate.
Share your ideas and beliefs, have an opinion, agree and disagree.
 Ask questions if you don’t understand something or need repetition. There are NO dumb
questions!
 In other words, just participate!

5) Language
 Use English. This course is a course in English conversation. The use of Korean in class
will not help you improve your English abilities, so using and speaking Korean is highly
discouraged during class.

I am looking forward to getting to know each and every one of you. I invite each of you to
come to my office if you have any questions, concerns, or if you would just like to chat.

Tentative Daily Schedule

Week/Date Topic
Week 1
Day 1 Placement Test

Day 2 Introductions/Class syllabus

Week 2 A time to remember: introducing yourself;

Day 3 talking about yourself; exchanging personal
Day 4 information; remembering your childhood;
asking about someone’s childhood.

Task 1-Interviewing and describing a

Day 5

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 classmate

Week 3 Time for a change! Describing positive and

Day 6 negative features; making comparisons; talking
Day 7 about lifestyle changes; expressing wishes

Task 2- Describing a post-relationship break

Day 8
up and creating a dialogue
Week 4 I’ve never heard of that! Talking about food;
Day 9 expressing likes and dislikes; describing a
Day 10 favorite snack; giving instructions.

Task 3- Describing the steps on how to make

Day 11
your favorite food or snack
Week 5 Going places: Describing vacation plans;
Day 12 giving travel advice; planning a vacation.
Day 13
Task 4- Creating a travel itinerary for a
Day 14
businessman
Week 6 OK. No problem! Complaints; household
Day 15 chores; requests; excuses; apologies.
Day 16
Task 5- “Talk radio” show- giving advice to
Day 17
people
Week 7 What’s this for? Describing technology; giving
Day 18 instructions; giving suggestions.
Day 19
Task 6- Giving advice to someone on how to
Day 20
fix computers
Week 8 Let’s celebrate! Describing holidays, festivals,
Day 21 customs, and special events.
Day 22
Task 7-Creating a new holiday
Day 23
Last class
Day 24